A poisoned chalice? Speculation rages over who will be Labour's chosen one in Islington North
Barnsbury councillor believed to be among those who could put himself forward to stand for Labour in Islington North
Friday, 31st March 2023
Jeremy Corbyn
WITH a general election expected to take place next year, a vacancy in a safe Labour seat like Islington North would usually mean hundreds of hopeful candidates making themselves known.
But now it’s a task being described as a “poisoned chalice” for whoever takes over with the red rosette in the wake of the ban on Jeremy Corbyn.
The gossip mill has been rolling for weeks, if not months, and any potential candidate must be wondering if Mr Corbyn will now stand as an independent candidate.
Parallels have been drawn to when Labour barred Ken Livingstone from standing in the first London mayoralty elections. He promptly stood as an independent and beat the late Frank Dobson – regardless of how popular Mr Dobson had generally been in the capital as a left-wing health secretary.
Sources within the local Party say Praful Nargund, a Barnsbury councillor, could put himself forward to stand for Labour in Islington North.
Mr Nargund, who runs a chain of 15 IVF clinics, was elected to Islington Council last year. He is a self-described “entrepreneur” whose website prominently features a photo of him with Keir Starmer.
Mr Nargund also advised Lord Blunkett, the ex-home secretary, on a skills report he prepared for Mr Starmer last year.
Former councillor and former NEC chair Alice Clarke-Perry has also been mentioned in the swirling speculation.
Previously, former MP Mary Creagh was thought to be a likely candidate. However, she has instead decided to stand for selection in Coventry North.
Some serving councillors are understood to be interested but will not stand against Mr Corbyn – so their interest depends on what he does next.
Meanwhile, Caroline Russell, a Green Party councillor, has been selected to be the Green Party candidate for Islington North.
Ms Russell did not want to speculate on whether or not Mr Corbyn would run as an independent candidate, but said “I always enjoy standing against Jeremy, he’s an incredibly popular local MP.
“It’s always been a courteous and constructive election process in Islington North, and I’m sure it would be again.”
